Input apparatus for a computer system

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to an input apparatus for a computer system which includes a pointer device operable by a user, a symbol display system adapted to display a plurality of symbols to a user, and one or more pointer selection sensors adapted to sense the selection of one or more symbols by the pointer device. The symbol display system is adapted to display a plurality of input symbols and at least one commit symbol, whereby selection of a commit symbol by the pointer device will cause the last input symbol selected to be supplied by an associated computer system as input. The invention may be particularly suitable for use by members of the disabled and/or aged community.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is based on International Application No.PCT/NZ03/00038, filed Feb. 28, 2003, and claims priority from, NewZealand Application Number 517510, filed Mar. 1, 2002, the disclosure ofwhich is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to an input apparatus for a computer system.Preferably the present invention may improve the speed at which commandsor selected symbols may be inputted into a computer system without theneed for a standard keyboard. Preferably the present invention may alsobe used to improve the ease with which disabled persons can inputinformation or commands into a computer system. Reference throughoutthis specification will also be made to the input apparatus being usedto supply input to a computer system, but those skilled in the artshould appreciate that other types of equipment may also be suppliedinput using the present invention if required.

BACKGROUND ART

Manual or user input devices for computer systems are normallyimplemented through a standard keyboard and/or mouse arrangement. A userpresses a selected key on the keyboard to transmit an input character tothe computer system. Alternatively a user can adjust the position of themouse to move a cursor on a computer display and activate one of itsbuttons to select objects or elements displayed.

However, some people find keyboards difficult to use. A degree of manualdexterity is required to achieve both accuracy and speed of operationfor keyboard data entry into a computer system. Proficiency in keyingonly comes after a significant amount of practice or training, and istherefore a barrier to some persons using a computer system.Furthermore, disabled persons can find it difficult to use a keyboarddue to the level of manual dexterity required. The speed and accuracywith which input can be supplied to a computer system can be limited fora disabled user employing a standard keyboard.

Mouse pointers are more readily used and accepted by the public atlarge. However, there are some limits with regard to the scope ofcommands or input data which can be supplied easily using a mouse. Theactual input characters or symbols which can be selected by a user witha mouse will be determined by what the system is capable of presentingon a display screen to a user. Disabled persons may also find itdifficult to effectively use a mouse, which requires accurate placementof a mouse pointer and also a synchronised depression of one of themouse buttons when an object or symbol to be selected is under the mousepointer.

Therefore, it would be preferable to have an input apparatus for acomputer system which could be readily and easily used by unskilledpersons or those with limited manual dexterity. It would be preferableto have an input apparatus which could be used easily to provide bothaccurate and fast input to a computer system, without necessarily theneed for a standard keyboard or mouse arrangement.

Attempts have been made to address these deficiencies in standardkeyboard and mouse combinations, such as the apparatus' discussed inU.S. Pat. No. 6,097,373 (to Jakobs), and U.S. Pat. No. 4,713,535 (toRhoades). These patent specifications describe laser, infrared or lightbased pointer systems which are worn on a headband by a user. The usertrains the pointer on a particular symbol displayed on a keyboard, wherethe dwelling time of the pointer beam on a symbol displayed indicatesthat particular symbol has been selected and it is therefore supplied asinput to a computer system.

However, these types of systems still do not completely address thedexterity requirements for an input system. A user must accuratelyposition the pointer beam on a symbol to be selected and then hold thepointer beam in place for the correct dwell time to ensure that thesymbol is selected and supplied as input to a computer system.Furthermore, the requirement for a dwell time period to be observedslows down the operation of such systems, thereby reducing the speed atwhich input data can be supplied to the computer system. In addition,there is no optimisation of key or symbol arrangements which are to beselected by a user. Relatively slow data input times are inherent insuch systems with specific key or symbol combinations located atopposite ends or areas of the symbol keyboard.

An improved input apparatus for a computer system which addressed any orall of the above problems would be of advantage. An input apparatuswhich was easy to use and which could supply input to a computer systemboth accurately and quickly would be of advantage. An input apparatuswhich limited the need for co-ordination or manual dexterity in a userwould also be of advantage.

All references, including any patents or patent applications cited inthis specification are hereby incorporated by reference. No admission ismade that any reference constitutes prior art. The discussion of thereferences states what their authors assert, and the applicants reservethe right to challenge the accuracy and pertinency of the citeddocuments. It will be clearly understood that, although a number ofprior art publications are referred to herein, this reference does notconstitute an admission that any of these documents form part of thecommon general knowledge in the art, in New Zealand or in any othercountry.

It is acknowledged that the term ‘comprise’ may, under varyingjurisdictions, be attributed with either an exclusive or an inclusivemeaning. For the purpose of this specification, and unless otherwisenoted, the term ‘comprise’ shall have an inclusive meaning—i.e. that itwill be taken to mean an inclusion of not only the listed components itdirectly references, but also other non-specified components orelements. This rationale will also be used when the term ‘comprised’ or‘comprising’ is used in relation to one or more steps in a method orprocess.

It is an object of the present invention to address the foregoingproblems or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.

Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of exampleonly.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided aninput apparatus for a computer system which includes,

a pointer device operable by a user, and

a symbol display system adapted to display a plurality of symbols to auser, and

one or more pointer selection sensors adapted to sense the selection ofone or more symbols by the pointer device,

where the symbol display system is adapted to display a plurality ofinput symbols and at least one commit symbol,

whereby selection of a commit symbol by the pointer device will causethe last input symbol selected to be supplied to an associated computersystem as input.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is providedan, input apparatus substantially as described above wherein the pointerdevice is adapted to emit electro-magnetic radiation, and a pointerselection sensor is adapted to detect said emitted electro-magneticradiation to sense symbol selection by the pointer device.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is providedan input apparatus substantially as described above wherein the pointerdevice is adapted to emit a laser beam and/or an infrared energy beam.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention there isprovided an input apparatus for a computer system wherein the symboldisplay system is adapted to display input symbols in at least one arraywhich defines a circuit.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is providedan input apparatus for a computer system wherein one or more commitsymbols are displayed in an array outside of the area defined by acircuit of input symbols.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention there isprovided an input apparatus substantially as described above wherein thesymbol display system is adapted to display at least one commit symbolwithin an area bounded by a circuit of input symbols.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is providedan input apparatus for a computer system substantially as describedabove, wherein the symbol display is adapted to display at least onecommit symbol at substantially the centre or the focus or focuses of acircuit of input symbols displayed.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention there isprovided an input apparatus for a computer system substantially asdescribed above wherein the symbol display system is adapted to displayat least one substantially elliptical or substantially circular circuitof input symbols.

The present invention is adapted to provide an input apparatus for acomputer system. Such an input apparatus may preferably emulate thefunctions of and potentially replace a standard keyboard and/or mousearrangement for a computer system. Such an input apparatus may providescreen pointer information in preferred embodiments in addition to inputsymbol or key selection inputs to the computer system.

Reference throughout this specification will also be made to the presentinvention being used as an input apparatus for a computer system.However, those skilled in the art should appreciate that the inputapparatus provided may also be used to provide input to other forms ofequipment which need not necessarily be computer systems. For example,in one alternative embodiment the input apparatus provided may be usedan input system for a vehicle, or for process control machinery in afactory for example.

In a further preferred embodiment an input apparatus may be provided asa plug-in replacement to a standard keyboard and/or mouse combination.Such an input apparatus may utilise the standard plug connectorsprovided in a computer system to connect a keyboard or mouse to same.For example, the input apparatus may be designed in a preferredembodiment to connect to a computer system using standard keyboard andmouse connectors, and may also be adapted to send input signals to thecomputer system using substantially the same schemes or protocols asthose employed by standard keyboards or mice.

This configuration of the invention allows the input apparatus toentirely replace a standard keyboard and mouse input arrangement andalso to be installed within substantially any type of pre-existingcomputer system without the need for special software, drivers oradaption hardware.

Preferably the input apparatus includes a symbol display system which isadapted to display a plurality of symbols to a user. These symbols maybe selected by a pointer device to allow a user to send input to anassociated computer system.

Preferably the display system will display a plurality of input symbolsto a user. Input symbols may represent specific types of input for acomputer system such as for example, standard key strokes from acomputer keyboard. Alternatively, such input symbols may be provided asgraphical icons which can represent a complex sequence of commands orinput to a computer system. For example such icons could representcontrol buttons for industrial machinery or other types of equipmentwhich may require computerised control.

In a further preferred embodiment input symbols may be displayed whichrepresent movement commands for a cursor on a display screen. Such inputsymbols may represent a particular direction in which the cursor is tobe moved through the selection of that particular symbol by a user.

Reference throughout the specification will also be made to inputsymbols displayed by a symbol display system being standard charactersnormally printed on an existing keyboard. However, those skilled in theart should appreciate that other types of input symbols may also bedisplayed in conjunction with the present invention and reference to theabove only throughout this specification should in no way be seen aslimiting. For example, in other embodiments characters or letters fromdifferent alphabets, symbol construction components for Asian languagesor alternatively icons representing basic commands or a sequence ofcommands may also be displayed as input symbols in accordance with thepresent invention.

In a preferred embodiment the symbol display system may be formed as orincorporate a substantially flat surface which displays graphicsrepresenting the symbols to be selected. Furthermore, the interior orinternal components of the symbol display system may also incorporatethe plurality of selection sensors required to operate the presentinvention.

Furthermore, such a symbol display system may be formed as orincorporate a liquid crystal display unit adapted to display graphicsrepresenting the symbols to be selected. Alternatively, the symboldisplay system may be formed from or incorporate touch sensitivesurfaces which will enable a user to touch graphics representing symbolsto effect the selection of same.

In a further preferred embodiment the face of the display system mayalso incorporate light emitting diodes or other small light emittingsystems associated with pointer selection sensors, which are illuminatedwhen a particular symbol has been selected by the pointer device.

In some embodiments the symbol display system may also be encased withina waterproof or airtight housing where it is to be used in potentiallyhazardous or corrosive environment. Preferably as symbols can beselected through the transmission of electro-magnetic beams there is noneed for any components of the symbol display system to protrude outfrom such a waterproof or airtight housing. This allows the presentinvention to be configured for use in relatively harsh environmentswhich would normally damage or degrade the performance of existingkeyboards or mice.

Reference throughout this specification will also be made to the symboldisplay system as having a display face with a number of static symbolsdisplayed on same. However those skilled in the art should appreciatethat other configurations of this component are envisioned and referenceto the above only throughout this specification should in no way be seenas limiting. For example, in other embodiments the symbols displayed maychange through use of a screen or projection system employed to form aportion of the symbol display system if required.

Preferably the display system provided may also be adapted to display atleast one commit symbol. The selection of a commit symbol can beemployed by a user to confirm that a previously selected input symbolshould actually be sent to the associated computer system as input.

A commit symbol can be employed to improve the accuracy with whichinputs can be supplied to a computer system used in the presentinvention. A selected input symbol may only be supplied as input oncethe user has also selected a confirmation symbol which will trigger thetransmission of the required input. As a significant amount of time isspent correcting missed keys with the standard keyboards, theapplicant's feel that this feature of the invention may substantiallyimprove the accuracy of the input apparatus provided.

Preferably the input apparatus also includes a pointer device which isemployed by a user to select symbols displayed by the symbol displaysystem. Such a pointer device may be moved or operated by a user toplace a visual cursor or pointer over a displayed symbol which is to beselected.

Preferably the input apparatus device also includes at least one pointerselection sensor. Such a sensor or sensors may preferably sense theselection of a particular symbol when the pointer cursor is placed overor on a particular symbol. In a further preferred embodiment the inputapparatus may include a plurality of pointer selection sensors, with asensor for each symbol displayed by the symbol display system. Thisconfiguration of the invention allows fine and accurate determinationsto be made with regard to which a range of symbols have been selected bya user.

In a preferred embodiment the pointer device may be adapted to emit atleast one beam of electro-magnetic radiation. Furthermore, any pointerselection sensors employed by the present invention may also be adaptedto sense the targeting of a particular symbol by a beam ofelectro-magnetic radiation emitted by the pointer device.

In a further preferred embodiment the pointer device may emitelectro-magnetic radiation, which, when directed to a displayed symbolwill give the user of the apparatus a visual indication or cueconfirming that they have trained the pointer device onto a particularsymbol. Such a visual clue may be provided through electro-magneticradiation which is not necessarily sensed by any pointer selectionsensors but may simply give the user visual cues to operate the presentinvention with.

Alternatively, in another embodiment a pointer selection sensor orsensors may incorporate components which give a user a visual cue that aparticular symbol has been selected. For example, in one embodiment apointer selection symbol may include a small light source such as alight emitting diode which will be illuminated when the sensor detectsthat the particular symbol involved has been targeted by the user'spointer device.

In a further preferred embodiment the pointer device may be adapted toemit a laser beam to illuminate and/or select a particular symboldisplayed by the symbol display system. A laser beam will also give auser a visual cue with regard to which areas or symbols of the symboldisplay system they have trained the pointer beam on and thereforeselected.

However, in other embodiments alternative forms of electro-magneticradiation may be emitted by the pointer device. For example, in analternative embodiment beams of tightly focussed infrared energy can beemployed if required.

Those skilled in the art should appreciate that many differentconfigurations of the present invention are possible in this regard andreference to one particular scheme only throughout this specificationshould in no way be seen as limiting. For example, in one alternativeembodiment a combination of visual cues from both a pointer device andpointer selection sensors may be given to a user.

Furthermore, those skilled in the art should also appreciate that thepointer device need not necessarily emit electro magnetic radiation tobe detected by at least one pointer selection sensor. For example, inalternative embodiments a pointer device may emit a magnetic field whichis detected by a selection sensor or alternatively physical contact orclose proximity of the pointer device to a selection sensor may beemployed in the operation of the present invention. In yet anotherembodiment, physical components of a pointer device may block thepassage of ambient light to a selection sensor, thereby indicatingselection of a symbol.

Those skilled in the art should appreciate that use of optical basedsystems substantially as described above in the implementation of thepointer device should in no way be seen as limiting.

In a preferred embodiment the pointer device may also include a mountingsystem which allows it to be worn on the body of the user. For example,in one further preferred embodiment the pointer device may be mounted onthe head apparel, such a head band, or a set of glasses frames worn by auser. This will position the pointer beam or cursor to tall on thesymbol display system approximately the same position at which theuser's eyes are focussed and their head is orientated.

However, in alternative embodiments the pointer device need notnecessarily be mounted on nor worn by a wearer. For example, in onealternative embodiment the pointer device may be configured as a handheld element which a user can move over the symbol display system toselect a particular symbol. In yet another alternative embodiment thepointer device may be mounted within or formed to resemble a standardcomputer mouse which can be moved over the surface of the symbol displaysystem to select particular symbols. Providing a mouse-like apparatusfor use with the present invention can improve the user's familiaritywith the components employed and potentially improve the user'swillingness to use the present invention.

Reference throughout this specification will also be made to the pointerdevice being adapted to emit a laser beam and also being configured tobe worn by a wearer using head apparel such as a head band. However,those skilled in the art should appreciate that other configurations ofthe present invention are envisioned, and reference to the above onlythroughout this specification should in no way be seen as limiting.

An input apparatus as configured in a preferred embodiment may be easilyemployed by a user to provide input to a computer system. To select aparticular symbol as computer input the user may initially train thepointer device on the required symbol represented by the symbol displaysystem. Preferably once the symbol has been illuminated by the pointerdevice's laser beam, a light emitting diode controlled by a pointerselection sensor for that symbol will be illuminated, giving the user anindication that they have correctly selected the symbol involved.

At this stage the user will then need to confirm the correct inputsymbol has been selected through in turn selecting a commit symbol. Thesame process again will be executed to indicate that a commit symbol hasbeen selected and therefore the last input symbol selected has beensupplied to the associated computer system as input.

In a preferred embodiment the input symbols displayed by the symboldisplay system may be arranged in at least one array which defines acircuit. A circuit may be defined for the purposes of this specificationas an arrangement which defines a route or course. The symbols involvedmay trace a path across the face of the symbol display system to fullyenclose an area of same.

In a further preferred embodiment at least one commit symbol may bedisplayed or located within a circuit defined by an array of inputsymbols. Providing one or more commit symbols to the interior of such acircuit minimises the distance over which the pointer device must bemoved to confirm the selection of a particular symbol.

However, in an alternative embodiment one or more commit symbols may belocated outside of an area defined by a circuit of input symbols. Such acommit or commit symbols may be placed relatively close to the displayedinput symbols to again preferably minimise the distance which thepointer device has to be moved to confirm the selection of an inputsymbol.

In a further preferred embodiment a commit symbol may be locatedsubstantially in the centre, or a focal point or focus of an areadefined by a circuit of input symbols. A commit symbol may be placedsubstantially in the centre of such an array or alternatively at a focusor focal point of the array—with this location being the closest pointto a significant number of input symbols displayed within the arrayinvolved. Providing a commit symbol in such a location substantiallyimproves the speed and accuracy with which the present invention may beused. This positioning of a commit symbol minimises its distance fromall or a substantial number of the symbols displayed in the array,thereby minimising the amount of movement of the pointer device requiredto select a sequence of symbols.

In a further preferred embodiment an array of input symbols may beformed as a substantially circular or elliptical circuit. This providesa relatively regular array of input symbols which define an area inwhich one or more commit symbols may be located. In the case of acircular array a single commit symbol may be located substantially atthe centre of the circle defined, whereas with an elliptical array witha pair of foci, a commit symbol may preferably be placed at each of thefoci involved.

Reference throughout this specification will also be made to a singlecommit symbol only being located substantially within the centre of eacharray of input symbols provided. Reference throughout this specificationwill also be made to input symbols being provided in substantiallycircular arrays with a single commit symbol being located at the centreof such circular arrays. However, those skilled in the art shouldappreciate that other configurations of the layout of input symbols andcommit symbols are envisioned and reference to the above only throughoutthis specification should in no way be seen as limiting. Array shapesother than a circle or ellipse may also be used in conjunction with thepresent invention if required.

In a preferred embodiment a series of input symbol arrays may be locatedon the display face of the display symbol system. Furthermore, othersymbols available for selection need not necessarily be applied ormarked out within the arrays defined in some instances.

In a further preferred embodiment the display face of the symbol displaysystem may have three distinct circular arrays of input symbols markedupon it. A primary array of alphabetic characters may form the firstarray while an array of numeric and mathematical characters may form thesecond array. A third array may be formed from punctuation and pagenavigation and formatting characters in such an embodiment.

In a further preferred embodiment screen cursor input symbols may alsobe displayed, preferably again a substantially circular array of inputsymbols. Input symbols may be provided to move a screen cursor up, down,left, right or any other required direction through the selection of aparticular input symbol.

The present invention may provide many potential advantages over theprior art.

The input apparatus described above may be used to fully replace astandard keyboard and/or mouse arrangement for an existing computersystem. The apparatus involved may be provided as a plug-in componentwhich uses the same connectors and communication protocols as a standardcomputer keyboard and/or mouse.

The present invention may allow relatively accurate and fast input to begenerated by those without a high degree of manual dexterity orco-ordination. The applicants believe that the present invention mayprovide significant advantages to those in the disabled communitywishing to interact with computer systems.

Providing input symbols are arrayed in circuits and preferably incircular arrays substantially increases the accuracy and speed at whichthe present invention may be employed. As the distance to which the userneeds to move the pointer device is reduced through the provision of acommit symbol substantially in the centre of such a circuit, thisincreases the speed at which symbols can be selected and then confirmedas input.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from thefollowing description which is given by way of example only and withreference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 a shows a top view of the display face for a symbol displaysystem as configured in accordance with the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention; and

FIG. 1 b shows the magnified view of the central circuits of displaysymbols shown with respect to FIG. 1 a, and

FIG. 2 shows a track of movements made by a pointer device used inaccordance with the preferred embodiment to supply the word shown asinput to a computer system.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 a shows the front display face of a symbol display system asincorporated within an input apparatus provided in accordance with thepreferred embodiment. The display face has a plurality of input symbolsmarked on its surface which are arrayed in three circuits with asubstantially circular shape. Each of the input symbols displayed may beselected by a laser pointer device (not shown) to provide input to acomputer system to which the input apparatus is connected.

Also shown in the centre of each circular array is a commit symbol whichagain can be selected by an associated pointer device. The commit symbolcan be used to conform that a selected input symbol is definitely to besupplied to a computer system as input. When a commit symbol is selectedthe last selected input symbol can be provided to the computer system asan input.

FIG. 1 b shows more clearly the central array shown with respect to FIG.1 a. With the array shown in FIG. 1 b the letters of the Roman alphabetare displayed, which can be selected by a user to build up text inputfor a computer system. Also shown next to each input symbol is thesensing component of a pointer selection sensor. In the embodimentsshown with respect to FIGS. 1 a and 1 b, a pointer device operated by auser can be trained on an input symbol to select same. The associatedpointer selection sensor will then detect the emitted laser light totrigger the selection of the input symbol involved. Such pointerselection sensors also include a light emitting diode which isilluminated when the sensor determines that the pointer device laserbeam has been trained on the associated input symbol.

In the embodiment shown with respect to FIGS. 1 a and 1 b the inputsymbols are arrayed in circular patterns with commit symbols in thecentre. Numerous input symbols are displayed from the letters of theRoman alphabet in the central array, to the numbers 0 to 9 andmathematical operators being displayed in the right most array. Pageformatting and punctuation input symbols are displayed in the left mostcircular array of input symbols. The central array also includes afurther internal or interior array of input symbols which give commandsto move a cursor on a display screen associated with a computer system.These input symbols can be selected to move a screen cursor up, down,left or right depending on the particular symbol selected.

The provision of circular arrays of input symbols reduces the distancewhich a user has to move the laser pointer device to select and thenconfirm a collection of input symbols as input to a computer system. Thecentral positioning of the commit symbols minimises the distance whichthe pointer device has to be moved to confirm input symbol selection.Furthermore, the provision of a commit symbol can substantially improvethe accuracy with which the input apparatus can be used, as false symbolselections will not be confirmed by a user but instead corrected beforebeing sent as input.

The present invention will provide users with the ability to provide asinput to a computer system on average at least twenty to thirty wordsper minute. Such a word input speed is far greater than for inputdevices which typically provide input speeds of between five and fifteenwords per minute.

For example, the British Journal of Occupational Therapy (June 198851(6)) states:

-   -   “Although more and more disabled people are benefiting from        microcomputer technology, an operating speed of more than 5-10        wpm with an alternative input device is rarely achieved”.

Furthermore, the ability to increase the reaction speed of the apparatuscomponents of the present invention will facilitate word input speeds ofat least forty words or more per minute.

FIG. 2 illustrates these characteristics of the input apparatus througha track of the movements made by the pointer device to select andconfirm as input collection of characters making up common Englishlanguage words. As can be seen from FIG. 2, the track of the pointerdevice passes across the central commit symbol for each selected inputsymbol where a large number of instances the next character or inputsymbol in the sequence to be selected is on the opposite side of thearray of symbols displayed.

Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of exampleonly and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions maybe made thereto without departing from the scope thereof as defined inthe appended claims.

1. An input apparatus for a computer system which comprises: a pointerdevice operable by a user, and a symbol display system that displays aplurality of input symbols to a user, where said plurality of inputsymbols represent characters and/or pictogram information content, thesymbol display system displaying an array of input symbols defining atleast one circuit, and one or more pointer selection sensors configuredto sense the selection of a symbol by the pointer device, where thesymbol display system also displays at least one commit symbol, said atleast one commit symbol being displayed at substantially the center ofthe focus of an array of input symbols, whereby the input apparatus isconfigured such that the at least one circuit of input symbols isarranged in a substantially elliptical or circular arrangement such thatthe user can select a signal input symbol using the pointer device, anddirectly move the pointer device to the commit symbol without traversingother input symbols such that selection of the commit symbol by thepointer device causes the previous single input symbol only selected bythe pointer device to be sent to the computer system.
 2. An inputapparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pointer device isconfigured to emit a beam of electromagnetic radiation.
 3. An inputapparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pointer device is operatedby a user to place a visual cursor over a displayed symbol which is tobe selected by said user.
 4. An input apparatus as claimed in claim 2,wherein the directing of the beam of electromagnetic radiation emittedfrom the pointer device onto an input symbol displayed by the symboldisplay system provides the user with a visual indication confirmingthat said beam has been trained onto said input symbol.
 5. An inputapparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pointer device includes amounting system.
 6. An input apparatus as claimed in claim 5, whereinthe mounting system is configured to be removably attached to the bodyof a user.
 7. An input apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein themounting system is configured to enable the pointer device to be mountedon head apparel or a set of glass frames worn by a user.
 8. An inputapparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pointer device isconfigured as a hand held element.
 9. An input apparatus as claimed inclaim 8, wherein the hand held element is formed as a standard computermouse.
 10. An input apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the symboldisplay system is formed as or incorporates at least one substantiallyflat surface which displays graphics representing symbols.
 11. An inputapparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein said at least one surface ofthe symbol display system displays at least three distinct substantiallycircular arrays of input symbols.
 12. An input apparatus as claimed inclaim 10, wherein said at least one surface of the symbol display systemincorporates light emitting diodes.
 13. An input apparatus as claimed inclaim 1, wherein at least one screen cursor input symbol is displayed bythe symbol display system.
 14. An input apparatus as claimed in claim13, wherein a screen cursor input symbol represent movement commands fora cursor on a display screen.
 15. An input apparatus as claimed in claim1, wherein the pointer selection sensor incorporates componentsconfigured to provide a user with a visual cue that a particular symbolhas been selected.
 16. An input apparatus as claimed in claim 1, whichincludes screen pointer information.